That Old Black Magic
Frank Sinatra; Orchestra under the direction of Axel Stordahl Lyrics
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That old black magic that you weave so well
Icy fingers up and down my spine
The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine
The same old tingle that I feel inside
When that elevator starts its ride
Down and down I go, round and round I go
I should stay away but what can I do
I hear your name, and I'm aflame
Aflame with such a burning desire
That only your kiss can put out the fire
You are the lover that I've waited for
The mate that fate had me created for
And every time your lips meet mine
Baby down and down I go, all around I go
In a spin, loving the spin that I'm in
Under that old black magic called love
These lyrics to Frank Sinatra's "That Old Black Magic" describe the all-consuming nature of love and passion. The singer is under the spell of a powerful and irresistible force – the "old black magic" – that is woven by their lover. This magic is so strong that it sends shivers up and down the singer's spine, and creates a tingle inside of them that they can't ignore. Despite knowing that they should stay away, every time they hear their lover's name they are overcome with desire and consumed by the flames of love.
The singer is completely in love with their partner, who they see as the perfect match and soulmate that fate had intended for them. They describe being "in a spin" and "loving the spin that I'm in" – suggesting that although their feelings are intense and dizzying, they wouldn't want it any other way. The final line of the song describes their love as being "under that old black magic called love" – acknowledging that although love can be a mysterious and sometimes overwhelming force, they are happy to be under its spell.
Line by Line Meaning
That old black magic has me in its spell
I am enchanted by your bewitching ways and can't help but fall under your spell.
That old black magic that you weave so well
You have a talent for using your charms to cast spells that leave me powerless.
Icy fingers up and down my spine
Your touch leaves me with a shiver of anticipation that runs up and down my body.
The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine
Every time we lock eyes, I am under your spell once again, unable to resist your magic.
The same old tingle that I feel inside
My heart races and I feel a fluttering sensation every time I'm near you, just like the first time we met.
When that elevator starts its ride
As the elevator takes us up or down, I feel a new rush of excitement knowing I'm with you.
Down and down I go, round and round I go
I am falling deeper and deeper in love with you, and feel as if I'm spinning out of control.
Like a leaf that's caught in the tide
I feel like a small, helpless leaf caught in the strong current of my love for you.
I should stay away but what can I do
I know I shouldn't be drawn to you, but I can't resist your magic and keep coming back for more.
I hear your name, and I'm aflame
Just hearing your name fills me with a fiery passion and desire for you.
Aflame with such a burning desire
I am consumed by a powerful and intense yearning for you.
That only your kiss can put out the fire
Only your kiss has the power to quench the flames of my passion and satisfy my desire for you.
You are the lover that I've waited for
You are the one I've been seeking all my life, the perfect partner to fulfill my dreams.
The mate that fate had me created for
It's as if destiny brought us together, like we were always meant to be bound to each other.
And every time your lips meet mine
Each kiss we share ignites an even stronger passion, deepening my love for you.
Baby down and down I go, all around I go
I keep sinking deeper into my love for you, spinning around in circles with the dizzying joy of being near you.
In a spin, loving the spin that I'm in
I'm caught up in a whirlwind of emotion, and I'm loving every minute of it with you by my side.
Under that old black magic called love
This powerful force between us is love, and its spell will never fade as long as we're together.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STREISAND, BARBRA / WILLIAMS, PAUL H.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind